Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’, particularly selected for the size, firmness, juiciness, shelf life, and shipping capability of its fruit, as well as its volume of production and moderate resistance to two-spotted spider mite, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that isgrown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred inBrittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginianawith Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessoryfruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from thereceptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, seasonof ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certainvarieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development oftheir reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appearhermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female.Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involvespropagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare rootplants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. Duringthe off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright redcolor, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is apopular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in preparedfoods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, thereis a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, thereis a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria xananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ originated from acontrolled cross between the proprietary female parent ‘88T205’(unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘107S 60’ (unpatented).Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’, wereasexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in the summerof 2012. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was laterspecifically identified and selected in Santa Barbara County, Calif. inMay of 2013.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons,and has undergone testing at test plots in Tapalpa, Mexico and Purepero,Mexico for five years (2015 to 2020). The present variety has been foundto be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexualpropagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was particularly selected for the size, firmness,juiciness, shelf life, and shipping capability of its fruit, as well asits volume of production and moderate resistance to two-spotted spidermite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtainedby conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, thephotographs are of plants that are six months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottomrow) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the upper surface (top) and lower surface (bottom) ofleaves of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of whole plants of variety‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 6 illustrates another view of whole plants of variety‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Tapalpa, Mexico andPurepero, Mexico from 2015 to 2020. This description is in accordancewith UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was taken from plants that were sixmonths old. The indicated values represent averages calculated frommeasurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London(R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the PlantIdentification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition byJames G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwisedefined.

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘88T205’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘107S 60’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—18 cm.        -   Diameter.—47 cm.        -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Density of foliage.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Medium.-   Stolon:    -   -   Number of daughter plants per square foot.—2.        -   Diameter at bract.—3.8 mm.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Weak.        -   Anthocyanin color when present.—RHS 39B (Deep yellowish            pink).        -   Density of pubescence.—Medium.        -   Length.—25.4 cm.        -   Overall color.—RHS 144A (Strong yellow green).-   Leaf:    -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS NN137A (Greyish olive            green).        -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 137D (Moderate yellowish green).        -   Blistering.—Medium.        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Leaf length.—10.2 cm.        -   Leaf width.—6.7 cm.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.4 cm. Width: 6.3 cm.            Length/width ratio: 1.3. Number of teeth per terminal            leaflet: 20. Shape of base: Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded.            Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave.        -   Petiole.—Length: 15.8 cm. Diameter: 3.3 mm. Attitude of            hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on            each petiole): 2. Color: RHS 144C (Strong yellow green).        -   Petiolule.—Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1.7 mm. Color: RHS 144C            (Strong yellow green).        -   Stipule.—Length: 4.0 cm. Width: 13 mm. Anthocyanin            coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 52C (Deep pink).            Overall color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow green).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—20.        -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same            level.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 9.9 cm. Color: RHS 144C (Strong yellow            green). Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards.        -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on            non-flattened flower): 21 mm. Arrangement of petals:            Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger.            Stamen: Present.        -   Petal.—Length: 12 mm. Width: 12 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0.            Number of petals per flower: 6. Color of upper side: RHS            NN155C (White). Color of lower side: RHS NN155C (White).            Overall shape: Orbicular. Base shape: Concavo-convex. Apex            shape: Rounded. Margin type: Smooth.        -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of            flower): 59 mm.        -   Sepal.—Length: 25 mm. Width: 12 mm. Number of sepals per            flower: 11. Color of upper side: RHS 137A (Moderate olive            green). Color of lower side: RHS 137D (Moderate yellowish            green). Overall shape: Elliptical. Base shape: Cuneate. Apex            shape: Convex. Margin type: Smooth.        -   Flowering.—Flowering interval: Late September to late April.-   Fruit:    -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 57 mm. Width: 46 mm. Length/width ratio:            1.2.        -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 24 mm. Width: 5 mm. Length/width            ratio: 4.7.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or            very slight.        -   Fruit color.—RHS 45A (Vivid red).        -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Width of band without achenes.—Medium.        -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.        -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx.—Medium.        -   Firmness.—Firm.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42C (Strong reddish            orange).        -   Evenness and distribution of flesh color.—Moderately even.        -   Color of core.—RHS NN155B (White).        -   Juiciness.—Moderate.        -   Fruit weight.—27.7 g.        -   Soluble solids (in ° brix).—10.4.        -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Late October to late April. Type            of bearing: Fully remontant. Productivity: 32,498 kg to            65,087 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-month-old            plants when grown in Tapalpa, Mexico. Market use of fruit:            Fresh market. Shipping and storage characteristics:            Following harvest, on average more than 39% of fruit is            marketable after 9 days in storage.-   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:    -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately            resistant.        -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately            susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the female parent proprietarystrawberry plant ‘88T205’ (unpatented) in that plants of‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ have a higher yield than plants of ‘88T205’.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the male parent proprietarystrawberry plant ‘107S 60’ (unpatented) in that fruit of‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ is larger and less misshapen than fruit of ‘107S60’.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the reference variety‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,079) in that‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has a conical fruit shape, no difference or a veryslight difference in shapes of terminal and other fruits, and a slightlylarger diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit, whereas‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ has a cordate fruit shape, a slight difference inshapes of terminal and other fruits, and a same size diameter of calyxin relation to diameter of fruit. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ hasa fully remontant type of bearing, while ‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ has apartially remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the reference variety‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,698), in that‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has medium plant vigor, an obtuse terminal leafletshape of base, a position of inflorescence at the same level as foliage,and a medium adherence of calyx to fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’has very strong plant vigor, an acute terminal leaflet shape of base, aposition of inflorescence above foliage, and a very strong adherence ofcalyx to fruit. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has a fully remontanttype of bearing, while ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ has a not remontant type ofbearing.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ as shown and described herein.